NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1930, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Begonias and Gloxinias.

Tho begonias and other flowers continuo to attract visitors in. ever-increas-ing numbers to tho Botanical Gardens. In tho glasshouse two of tho orchids, Sobratia maeranthra and'Brassia varacosa, are in bloom. Tho begonias, always attractive, have this year been excellent. Mona, tho best white in cultivation, C. E. Pearson, deep red, A. 11. Bunny, crimson, Mrs. J, Douglas, yellow, mignon, and many others are at their best. The gloxinias have a house to themselves, and show many choice colours. Finds in a Waikato Cave. A cavo has been discovered on tho banks of the Waikato, below the Aratiatia rapids. Tho Native who accidentally found it through his dog got into it, and discovered remains of kits of better design than tho Maoris make now. There were somo markings on tho walls which ho could not make out. It is proposed to keep the locality secret until the visit of Mr. Henry Hill, of Napier, who knows every, aero of this district from a geological point of floor, Tlic Nativo (lid not distrub the floor, which may possibly yield some remains of interest. A Profitable Ewe. Something in tho nature of a. record has been established by a ewe bred and owned by Mr. W. C. Grant, of Messrs. Crawford and Grant, Gore. Last season this ewe had four lambs by a Suffolk ram, three being wethers and pne a ewe. Each of the wethers were killed a few weeks ago as two-tooths and killed out at 1021b, 901b, and 981b respectively. This season t 1 c ewe had three lambs, each of which was killed fat off its mother before Christmas. Teacliing Wellington Pilots. The "Evening Post" gift aeroplane has undergono further tests and adjustments, and has*been taken over by tho Aero Club aa being up to specification. Instruction to flying members 'of tho club will commence on Monday. Tho secretary of the club (Mr. N. M'Arthur) states that a list of applicants for tuition is being drawn up. Tho first'batch will number about twenty. Thero will be two sections on tho list, thoso who can attend early morning and evening, and those able to take day courses. Application is being inado to tho Government for the loan of ono of its Moths to assist in training operations. When a second machine is obtained applications will bo called for tho ■ position of second instructor. n • j ■ Wrecked in the Sounds. Dr. F. 33. Dooring, a much-travelled 'tourist, who returned tho other day from a trip to the Sounds, proudly displayed to a ''Southland Times" reporter, a *fair-sized piece of teak from tho rib of the Endeavour, a sailing vessel which was wrecked at-Facile Harbour in the Sounds ove^lOC^years ago! Dr. Doering was one of a party from the Hinemoa who were being rowed ashore at the harbour by a Maori and another seaman. The young Maori was quite enthusiastically confident that some of the timber of the vessel was still in position, but all poohhoohed his statement as being but a stretch ,of fertile imagination. "The only way you can convince us is by bringing tho wood to tho surface," was the remark of Dr. Gordon 'Macdouald, a Dunedin practitionor, another member of tho party. Tho Maori immediately lot down a sinker and hook and engaged himself at hunting about in the-sea in some ten feet of water. At last tho hook hit something which was dragged to shallow water. The Maori, jumping in to his armpits, xiltimately and smilingly emerged with a rib of tho Endeavour. It, had two ordinary pin-holes, in ono of which was a pioco of metal.' 'Tho rib was undoubtedly of teak, and each passenger has secured a portion thereof as a memento of what tlioy term "a glorious trip." ,

Commercial Air Service. \ Piloted by Mr. J. W. Buckoridgo, who had with him Mr. 11. M. M'Kay, manager of tho company, the second Simmonds Spartan biplauo imported by the New Zealand Airways Company, arrived on Thursday from Soekbum at tho Green Island Aerodrome Tho 'piano is a machino of tho same type as the Simmonds Spartan biplane which was landed in Duncdin recently by the company, with the exception that the one that arrived on Thursday is a twosoatcr, while tho other is a threeseater. Theso two 'planes, which will be stationed in Dunedin, will form the nucleus of a fleet with which the company proposes to run a commercial air service between the principal towns of New Zealand, and it is, expected a definite policy as to the running of the services will bo released by the company very shortly. . Hundreds of Dead Mutton Buds. Hundreds of dead mutton birds have been strewn along the sand at Oreti Beach during tho last week, says; the "Southland Times." What caused their death is not an easy matter to say. Stormy weather should not have killed them, unless they were struck by lightning, but their bodies show no trace ot such a death. Possibly they came across such a big shoal ofi small fish that they died from gluttony. A scientific explanation of their death should prove interesting. • > - Farm Economics. A start on a comprehensive farm economics survey for the Auckland TjViversity College Council is to be mado early next month by Mr. P. B. Stephens, at present tutor-organiser for the "Workers' Educational Association ut Hamilton, states tho "New Zealand Herald." Mr. Stephens will inquire into land utilisation in Now Zealand, the effect of climate and various types oi" soil on production, and the business organisation of co-operativo and proprietary dairy companies. Tho object is to promote efficiency in farming operations and to ascertain how increased financial returns may bo obtained from primary production. Mr. Stephens will be stationed in Auckland. Maori War Bullets. V Some bullets, evidently fired during tho Maori War, were recently found in tho cliffs on tho northern side of the Oakum Kiver, near the beach, a few miles from New Plymouth. Some were flattened, and others were as round as when they were fired nearly CO years ago. Wreck of the Havrea. "i The remains of the steamer Hawoa, which had lain in the New Plymouth •Harbour since the wreck on 12th June, 1888, have been practically all removed as the result of'recent' dredging^ Only a small portion of the'stern is left. While that portion of tho iron hulk which has been exposed to water erosion has suffered considerably fr'onijrust, the greater part of the vessel has been, embedded in the sand, and is reported to be in as good condition as' at the time of the wreck. Prom a depth ; of.. sft at low tide, tho locality of the wreck has been dredged to a depth of 21ft. A small brass" signal cannon is among the articles recovered from the wreck. Captain W. Waller, the owner of the cannon, intends to have it remounted: Although it has been immersed for over 40 years, its condition, is not impaired. The cannon is one of a pair, but the other has not yet been recovered. ; Stopping "Treasure Hunts." ' . Determined efforts are to be taken by the Chris tchurch City Council to put a stop to the practice of holding "treasure hunts" at night in the city, according to a statement made by the Mayor, the Rev. J. K. Archer, says the "Press." j The Mayor said that his attention had been drawn to the tice, and if the. information was correct it was surprising that such a childish business could be carried on by people well enough off to run motorcars. "Thei principal thing, however," he added, "is that if it is true that people are careering about the city at sixty miles an, hour, there is'an obvious danger to the public, and every effort will be made to suppress the silly game. The Traffic Department will keep a sharp look-out, and any offenders will be prosecuted."